Rail Rambles Troeon Trên

www.railrambles.org/

Guided Walks from Railway Stations in Mid-Wales and the Marches Teithiau Cerdded Tywysedig o Orsafoedd Rheilffyrdd yng Nghanolbarth Cymru a’r Gororau

4 January – 27 June 2020 4 Ionawr – 27 Mehefin 2020

Welcome to Rail Rambles Rail Rambles are guided walks from railway stations in Mid-Wales and the Marches. Each walk is planned to be accessible by a day return rail journey from a number of main line and connecting bus and rail stations. The walks are free to join and are open to the public, with no membership of any organisation required.

The Rail Rambles programme is organised by volunteer members of the Rail Rambles Association and produced with the support of Transport for Wales.

Our programmes generally include 6–10 mile walks, and this programme also includes some shorter options (longer walks are offered by a separate organisation, RailRambles Cymru).

For more information about our walks please contact: [email protected] or contact us through the web site. We do not publish individual walk leaders’ contact details, but are happy to put you in touch with leaders if you need more information about a walk or advice on how to join it.

How to join a Rail Ramble To join a Rail Ramble, all you need to do is turn up at the start of the walk. Walks normally start from the appropriate railway station (e.g., Craven Arms station for a Craven Arms circular walk, Wrenbury station for a linear walk from Wrenbury to Whitchurch), when the listed train from the Shrewsbury direction arrives. But please do check the individual walks for variations or additional joining instructions.

If you can join the listed train from Shrewsbury, you will be likely to find other Rail Ramblers on the way to the walk. If you are coming from another direction, you will need to plan your journey so that you arrive at the start point in good time – please feel free to ask us if you need help or advice.

Dogs: To comply with the wishes of the majority of our walkers, we’re sorry but dogs cannot be taken on any Rail Ramble. Assistance dogs are permitted, but please check with us first, as routes may not be suitable or safe for your dog.

Rail Rambles January to June 2020

Walk descriptions ‘Easy’ means mostly level ground and a gentle pace. ‘Leisurely’ means gentle climbs and some level ground for reasonably fit people. ‘Moderate’ indicates some steep paths and a steady pace for people with country walking experience and a good level of fitness (‘moderate+’ means as moderate but with a generally greater level of difficulty). ‘Strenuous’ refers to a fast pace due to mileage and/or the return train time and these walks are for experienced country walkers with an above average fitness level.

Preparation and safety Walks are led by experienced volunteer leaders, all of whom are members of the Rail Rambles association and many of whom are also members of the Ramblers. Whilst every care will be taken to keep to the advertised programme, walk leaders reserve the right to make changes to suit weather conditions, the needs of the party or other unforeseen circumstances.

Most Rail Rambles are off-road in rural areas. Please have suitable footwear and clothing for the walk you intend to join, and bring some food and drink. Leaders may refuse to accept participants who in their opinion are inadequately equipped or unfit. When in doubt, contact the organisers or the walk leader in advance.

For your own and others’ safety please abide by any instructions issued by the walk leader. Though walking is inherently one of the safest outdoor activities, no activity is completely without risk and it is your responsibility to behave sensibly and to minimise the potential for accidents to occur.

Please try to use the train for at least part of your journey – remember, these are after all RAIL Rambles!

Train times Outward times from Shrewsbury and return times from the walks destination stations are indicated in the programme details for each walk.

For details of departure times from other locations and connecting services, please ring National Rail Enquiries (03457 48 49 50), ask at your local station, or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or https://tfwrail.wales/.

Time details may be subject to minor change. Walkers are strongly advised to check times of trains before travelling, and to check our website, www.railrambles.org, in case of last minute changes to the programme.

Fares and tickets The normal range of tickets can be used to travel to the walk start point. Where a walk returns from a different location, a ticket to the furthest point should be purchased. We try to tell you the furthest point from Shrewsbury, where this is not obvious, but be careful if you are coming from the opposite direction!

Discounted fares are available to holders of railcards and it is always worth enquiring about the availability of group discounts or investigating whether splitting your ticket would save you money (many of our walkers find this to be the case).

Hang on to all your outward tickets if you can, as we collect them on the walk (this is just to help us with our statistics – you don’t need a rail ticket to come on the walk).

2 For up to date information check www.railrambles.org

Rail Rambles January to June 2020

Rail Rambles January to June 2020

Saturday 4 January Shrewsbury Circular (4.5 miles easy). A walk from Shrewsbury Ramblers’ programme to mark the renaming of Route 1 (from 20 Walks in and around Shrewsbury) as the John Newnham Walk. Meet just before 10.00 at Sabrina Dock, Welsh Bridge, for dedication ceremony followed by walk. This walk is being organised and led by Shrewsbury Ramblers, and we are invited to join them for this special occasion to remember our friend John. Linda and Mick Hemming will be on duty for Rail Rambles and will be available to guide Rail Ramblers from Shrewsbury Station to Welsh Bridge (meet 09.35, station foyer). Saturday 11 January Leominster Circular via Stockton Cross and Bache Hill Fort (8 miles moderate). Leaders Judith Griffiths and Nick Marshall. Depart Shrewsbury 08.50, return 16.42. Wednesday 15 Jan Onibury to Ludlow via Stanton Lacy and Burway (7 miles moderate). Leaders Steve Paynter and Mike Plume. Depart Shrewsbury 09.15 to Craven Arms, Bus to Onibury 09.56 (adjacent to Royal Mail Office, fare extra), return Ludlow 16.52. (Book Ludlow return.) Saturday 18 January Machynlleth Circular via Gallt-y-Gog and Bryn Melyn (7 miles moderate). Leaders Clare Gathercole and Pete Lightwood. Depart Shrewsbury 09.29, return16.08. Saturday 25 January Welshpool Circular. A short walk (4 miles approx.). Followed by our annual Xmas lunch at the Royal Oak Hotel. Leaders Liz Owen and Pam Swales. Depart Shrewsbury 09.29, return 16.56. Saturday 1 February Craven Arms Circular. A walk in remembrance of our good friend and leader John Newnham, who was fond of walking along Brandhill Gutter, all welcome, via Whettleton, Glencoed, Onibury, Brandhill Gutter, Gorst Barn, Weo Edge and Clapping Wicket (9 miles moderate). Leaders Bob Owen and Nigel Hotchkiss. Depart Shrewsbury 09.41, return 16.31. Saturday 8 February 1. Frodsham circular via Bradley, Newtown, Weaver Navigation, Catton Hall, Kingsley, Hatley Farm and Bradley (9.5 miles moderate). Leaders Douglas Hill and Mick Hemming. Depart Shrewsbury 09.26, return 16.53. Note – Change at Chester on both Outward and Inward journeys. 2. Frodsham circular via Newtown, Weaver Navigation, Belleair Farm, Hatley Farm and Bradley (5 miles easy). Leaders Pam Swales and Linda Hemming. Depart Shrewsbury 09.26, return 16.10. Note – Change at Chester on both Outward and Inward journeys. Wednesday 12 February NEW Llanwarne to Wormelow via Orcop Church, Coles Tump and The Mynde (8 miles moderate). Leaders Mike Ledlie and Les Lumsdon. Depart Shrewsbury 09.15 to Hereford, Bus to Llanwarne from Railway Station 10.25 Service 36, return bus Wormelow to Hereford (fares extra). Return train 16.54. (Book Hereford return.)

3 For up to date information check www.railrambles.org

Rail Rambles January to June 2020

Saturday 15 February Church Stretton Circular via Pole Cottage, Motts Way and Carding Mill Valley (9 miles moderate). Leaders Darren H and Steve Paynter. Depart Shrewsbury 09.41, return 16.40. Saturday 22 February Wrenbury to Whitchurch via South Cheshire Way, Wickstead Old Hall and Lower House Farm (7 miles moderate). Leaders Douglas Hill and John Mattocks. Depart Shrewsbury 10.18, return 16.27. (Book Wrenbury return.) Saturday 29 February Hopton Heath to Broome via Abcott, Clunbury and Beambridge (7 miles moderate). Leaders Clare Gathercole and Susan McCormack. Depart Shrewsbury 09.00, return Broome 16.35. (Book Hopton Heath return.) Saturday 7 March Craven Arms Circular via Cheney Longville, Wart Hill, Hopesay Common and Sibdon Carwood (7.25 miles moderate). Leaders Trevor Allison and Bob Owen. Depart Shrewsbury 09.00, return 14.57. Saturday 14 March Church Stretton Circular via Snatchfield Farm, Hope Bowdler and Cwms Cottage (7 miles moderate). Leaders Darren H and John Mattocks. Depart Shrewsbury 09.41, return 15.06 or 16.40. (Check Update.) Wednesday 18 March 1. Wellington Circular via Around the Wrekin (8.5 miles moderate). Leaders Graham Baker and Bob Owen. Depart Shrewsbury 09.41, return 16.21. 2. Wellington Circular via the Ercall (4 miles moderate). Leaders Pam Swales and Pat Willday. Depart Shrewsbury 09.41, return 14.19. Saturday 21 March Llangollen to Chirk via Canal and Offa’s Dyke path (8 miles moderate). Leaders Jean, and Peter Jones. Depart Shrewsbury to Ruabon 09.26, Bus to Llangollen (fare extra), return Chirk 16.50. (Book Ruabon return.) Saturday 28 March Talybont to Barmouth via Bwlch y Rhiwgyr, optional Cerrig Arthur and Bwlch y Llan (9 miles moderate+). Leaders Martin Forrest and Nick Marshall. Depart Shrewsbury 09.29, return Barmouth 16.56 or 18.57. (Check Update.) (Book Talybont return.) Saturday 4 April Dovey Junction to Machynlleth via Dyfi Valley Way (9 miles moderate+). Leaders Audrey Menhinick and Pete Lightwood. Depart Shrewsbury 09.29, return Machynlleth 18.05. (Book Dovey Junction return.) Saturday 11 April Caersws to Newtown via Llanwnog and Bwlch-y-ffridd (8 miles moderate). Leaders Peter Jones and Neville Homent. Depart Shrewsbury 09.29, return Newtown 16.42. (Book Caersws return.) Wednesday 15 April New Cleehill to Ludlow via Novers Wood, Mahorall and Whitton (9 miles moderate). Leaders Les Lumsdon and Mike Ledlie. Depart Shrewsbury 09.40, Bus to Cleehill (fare extra), return Ludlow 16.52.

4 For up to date information check www.railrambles.org

Rail Rambles January to June 2020

Saturday 18 April Leominster Circular via Brierly and Ivington Camp (9 miles moderate). Leaders Mike Plume and Steve Paynter. Depart Shrewsbury 08.50, return 16.42. Saturday 25 April Hopton Heath to Bucknell via Heart of Wales Line Trail with an additional 2.5 miles loop (7.5 miles moderate). Leaders Trevor Allison and Douglas Hill. Depart Shrewsbury 09.00, return Bucknell 16.27. (Book Bucknell return.) Saturday 2 May Newtown Circular via Lluest, Plas Gregynog and Garth Hill (10.5 miles moderate). Leaders Judith Griffiths and Nick Marshall. Depart Shrewsbury 09.29, return 16.42. Saturday 9 May Bucknell to Knighton via Stow Hill and Lee Cottage (7 miles moderate) Leaders Graham Baker and Neville Homent. Depart Shrewsbury 09.00, return Knighton 16.21. (Book Knighton return.) Wednesday 13 May Welshpool Circular via Town Trail, Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway to Cyfronydd. Alight at Cyfronydd, walk to Llanfair Caereinon, return on light railway to Welshpool (6.5 miles leisurely). Leaders Mike Ledlie and Les Lumsdon. Depart Shrewsbury 09.30, return 16.56. (Note Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway fares extra, approx. £15.00.) Saturday 16 May Llwyngwril to Barmouth via Bryn Seward, Morfa Mawddach and Barmouth Bridge (6 miles moderate). Leaders Marion Law and Susan McCormack. Depart Shrewsbury 09.29, return 16.56 or 14.55. (Check Update.)

New timetables 17 May

Saturday 23 May Llangammarch to Cilmeri via riverside, Garth and Tysegur (7 miles moderate). Leaders Linda and Mick Hemming. Depart Shrewsbury 09.00, return Cilmeri 15.17. (Book Llangammarch return.) Saturday 30 May Penhelig Circular via Llechwedd and Dyffryn-glyn-cul (7 miles moderate). Leaders Liz Owen and Nigel Hotchkiss. Depart Shrewsbury 09.29, return 15.35. Saturday 6 June Barmouth Circular via Dinas Oleu, Barmouth Slabs and Cerrig Arthur (7 miles moderate). Leaders Peter Jones and Pete Lightwood. Depart Shrewsbury 09.29, return 16.56. Saturday 13 June Ludlow Circular via Ludford, Hucksbarn, Overton, Black Pool, Hanway Common, Mary Knoll House, Mortimer Trail and Dinham Bridge (10 miles moderate). Leaders Judith Griffiths and Martin Forrest. Depart Shrewsbury 09.41, return 16.54. Wednesday 17 June Knighton Circular via Heart of Wales Line Trail to Knucklas, Bryney and Nether Skyborry (8 miles moderate). Leaders Pamela H and Steve Paynter. Depart Shrewsbury 10.09, return 17.37.

5 For up to date information check www.railrambles.org

Rail Rambles January to June 2020

Saturday 20 June 1. Telford to Ironbridge via Silkin Way and South Telford Heritage Trail (8.5 miles moderate). Leaders Trevor Allison and Neville Homent. Depart Shrewsbury 09.32, return Ironbridge to Telford Central by Bus 15.57 (fare extra), return train 17.00. 2. Possibility of shorter route, to be confirmed. Saturday 27 June Broome to Craven Arms via Stokesay and Norton Camp (8 miles moderate). Leaders Marion Law and Mike Plume. Depart Shrewsbury 09.00, return Craven Arms 16.31. (Book Broome return.)

Why not join the Ramblers?* If you’d like to get out more and enjoy your local area with like-minded people, the Ramblers could be for you, with walk programmes catering for all abilities, many aimed specifically at beginners. Your membership will also help to protect footpaths and walking spaces for everyone to enjoy. To join, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/join or call 020 3961 3232.

*Rail Rambles is an independent walking organisation affiliated to the Ramblers (Powys area). We have received a lot of support from the Ramblers over the years and very much share their values and aims. However, Ramblers members, please be aware that the Rail Rambles themselves are not official Ramblers activities, so your Ramblers insurance policy does not cover them.

Thank you, Transport for Wales For continuing the support which makes it possible for us to run the Rail Rambles programme.

6 For up to date information check www.railrambles.org